My days hardly ever work out as planned. Life has a tendency to interfere, particularly when I have important things to do. Today was another one of those days. I planned on doing the last few things needed to complete the website, arrange for my vehicle to be booked in for a service and repairs and a few other minor things, but then I discovered an email from the Canadian consulate with instructions with regards to my visa application. Wonderful! Exciting! The day when I can see my daughter again and meet my youngest grandchild is now becoming reality… except that all the attachments were in French… regardless of the fact that we completed the application in English and ticked every English block on every page. Thank goodness I discovered (after about two hours of panic) that I can translate a complete document in Google Translate.
Why are people so intent on talking about racism
As I was in my email already I decided to spend a while reading email from subscribers while I drink my coffee. And that is where my day was completely thrown out of whack. The second email I opened was from someone (it is unclear whether it is a he or she) who accused me and Yankee Wally of having a selective memory when it comes to Meghan Markle and the Royal Family. In the email he/she also refers to the Derek Chauvin case on which Yankee Wally remarked a few times. The email then goes on to inform me of the British royal family’s past as colonialists and slave owners… blah blah blah … and here is the shortened version of what I replied :
As a South African I obviously have a lot to say about racism… but there is a time and place to discuss certain matters and a channel mainly talking about the gossip surrounding the royals is not the ideal platform to do so. I also do not think or appreciate commentary on the issue coming from someone who does not really know much or have experienced racism and that is exactly why I do not appreciate Harry and Meghan opening their mouths on the subject and why I think Wally should/ could stick to the case and not talk about racism.
Also note that YouTube severely ‘punishes’ us when we discuss any subject remotely concerning politics.
Even hundreds of years after the Anglo Boer war here in South Africa, many (Mostly Afrikaans speaking) South Africans do not like the British very much as most had a great-grandfather/mother who died in the concentration camps, had their farms destroyed etc. I have a different background though as my great-grandfather came from Scotland 3 generations ago. Hence I have been a royalist (even though I am South African) all my life and have been severely criticised and even rejected for my loyalty to anything British. As far as the Black people in my country are concerned, they still see the British people as colonialists even though we have been a republic since the 60s. YET, it was under BLACK rule that we re-entered the Commonwealth!! That is double standards at its best, don’t you think?
So, for me, racism is something I do not talk about, do not discuss other than among my friends and family. It is my aim to lead by example rather than to shoot my mouth off. I live in a multi-racial, multi-cultural community where we respect those worthy of our respect, where we work together, learn together and choose our friends from those who share our morals and interests and where the color of our skins play no role. I maintain that standard without overthinking it even though both my brother and grandson had been victims of racial attacks, in which they were physically hurt. It is my opinion that it would be much more productive to move forward to a healthier future than to dwell on the wrongs of the past.
Kind regards,
Lynne aka Bookworm 2
I think my reply says everything I have to say on the subject. I have never been a politician, nor have I served in the armed forces or police. I grew up with intelligent parents who taught us basic good manners and respect for others and as far as I am concerned that is what will make life better and nothing else : treat PEOPLE the way YOU wish to be treated….